Crabs - or pubic lice, body lice, phthirus pubis - are parasitic insects that live on human hair (especially pubic hair) that can
be transferred from person to person through intimate body contact.
They are a fact of life if you have multiple sexual
partners, especially at bathhouses/saunas. Make no mistake, if you play around
sexually with other partners sooner or later you will catch a dose of
crabs – guaranteed! Your extra-marital partners will most likely show no
obvious signs of infestation especially if you are playing in the darkness or
semi darkness.
Indicators of crab infestation:
Itchiness! From one to fourteen days from contact, an itchy
area usually indicates they are there, so look for a dark spot on the skin or
hair. In close-up you’ll see little legs and if you transfer the crab via
tweezers to a plain backed area you’ll see them move. Don’t confuse the itchiness from trimmed pubic hair growing
back or some other itchy skin disease or fungus symptoms. Itchiness doesn’t
have to be crabs.
An egg can be found as a nodule on the hair stalk. If itchy in the anal area or lower back
(especially if you are hairy in those regions) and you have no-one to check it
for you then you should assume that you have crabs and undertake the
medication. Also check your underarms, eyebrows and head. Always assume that one crab means a likelihood
of more – and possibly located in a different hairy area of your body. Dark,
moist, warm areas like under the balls or in the buttock crack, are favourite
breeding grounds for them. Sometimes you’ll also see red spots like bites. If
you’ve had crabs for a week or two this can be an additional sign of
infestation.
You see crabs on your partner:
If you are giving oral sex to a man and there is ample
light, flick your eyes into his hairy pubes whilst continuing to go up and down
on him. This will give you ample time to check for any eggs on the hairs or
indeed the crabs themselves crawling about. A favourite nesting area for them
is the recessed belly button area. Believe me, it’s very disconcerting to
suddenly discover your partner is infected. Your interest in sex wilts and you
just want to get out of there as fast as you can.
Do you tell him?
Yes, I believe you should. If he hasn’t been aware of having
them then he needs to know so that he can stop infecting others with the little
devils. And you will need to
immediately take action to cleanse yourself of any possible infestation. If the
infestation is in your partner’s pubes then be sure to give special attention
to your scalp hair as it’s highly likely that when your were giving him oral your
head was rubbing in to his pubic regions thus increasing the likelihood of
transfer. If you’ve just had naked
body hugging (including pubes to pubes contact) then there is also a high
likelihood of transference.
The simple remedy:
An over-the-counter preparation (a cream) from a drug-store
or pharmacy that takes 10 minutes to use will rid you of them. This involves
being naked, slightly wet your skin and cover your body with the cream and
leave for 10 minutes. Pay particular attention to covering all hairy areas anywhere on the body including head, under-arms, buttocks,
legs and the stomach pubes. Then
shower. And dry off with a new towel.
Don’t use a face-washer that has previously been used and with the soap, using
a new cake would be preferable. It’s very important not to come in to any
contact with items that have previously been touched by your body. Start everything new and fresh as this
eliminates a possible re- infestation. Use the fine tooth comb that comes with
the cream to remove any dead eggs from the hairs.
Be aware that there is a medicinal aroma associated with the
cream. So if you don’t want to be asked by your wife about the smell then take
an extended time to wash the body extra clean using a perfumed soap and then
cover up with a nice after-shave or talc. A walk in the outdoors is also a good
way to eliminate some of the odour.
All clothing, bed linen and towels that have been in contact
with your skin should be washed in hot water. And after using the cream
medication begin with fresh towels and clothing. If you’ve been infected for a
few days (or think you possibly have) then don’t forget to change all clothing
especially underwear and including pyjamas if you wear them.
Tell others:
You should also advise your recent partners (if you know
them) that you have been infected, as there is a high chance that they will
also have had a transfer of the parasites. They in turn could re-infect you or
another partner. Trimmed or shaved hair on your body can also make catching
crabs a little less likely and it’s certainly easier to locate them if you do
have them, but it’s no guarantee of protection. Neither is use of a condom.
And
what of your wife or female partners?
If you have had naked body contact with her and you’ve
probably been infected a few days, then she has to know. Sheets, night clothes,
pillows and towels are all potential transfer points for the crabs, so there is
every chance she too could be infested. The crabs have to be eliminated from
every point where they could re-infest to another person or back to yourself.
Excuses for having caught crabs:
Your excuse could range from “I must have picked it up from
the kids and their school friends” through to a “dirty toilet seat in the park”
to “they’re going around work” or “that’s the last time I shower at the
gym”. But really most people know
that it takes naked human contact to transfer the little blighters. So be
prepared for some awkward questioning. This is the downside of playing sexually
beyond the marriage.
If crabs are discovered today:
If you’ve only just discovered during your sexploits today
that your male partner has crabs, then you don’t have to worry about the
situation at home as you haven’t carried anything home as yet. So ask you male
sex partner if he has any of the cream in his cupboard (and if he’s a gay man
he most likely has) and use it there, so you can walk out of his place knowing
the possible infestation has been stopped. But if you have to wear clothing,
especially underwear, between his place and where you can use the cream on
yourself, then you must be able to change into new clean clothing before using anything at home. So a
cream application and a shower at the gym or the office without putting back on
the old clothing is a good idea. Arrive home in your gym gear, shower and
change in to new clothes and no-one need be the wiser about your little
visitors. Crisis averted – for now!
Summary:
Crabs are simply a nuisance. As you can see they can be
easily disposed of by a simple over-the-counter cream, 10 minutes of your time
and hot water to wash all clothing. It’s the side effect of the need to explain
– and of feeling sexually dirty and unclean that will linger with you.
If you sexually play beyond monogamy, you will get crabs sooner or later. Be prepared.
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Disclaimer: All advice and information given here on this blog is general in nature and non-specific to any individual, couple or group. You are encouraged to seek your own independent professional medical, psychological and counselling advice.
For more details about other man-to-man sex issues read
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New to cruising? Get helpful tips about onboard procedure, an invaluable Check List as to what you'll need to pack for shore excursions, PLUS details of 25 of the best European and Baltic shore excursions that I've undertaken. Make sure you have the best possible cruise - for all the right reasons.
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